On November 2, 2023, police responded to a call of an unconscious baby at a home on South Dovetail Court in Airway Heights, Washington. Five-month-old Preston Sweitzer had been in the care of his nanny, 59-year-old Sharon Arger, along with his 2-year-old brother. Arger initially claimed that the toddler had picked up a bike and thrown it at Preston, then placed him in his crib for a nap where she later found him unconscious and called 911. Preston was rushed to Sacred Heart Medical Center and placed on life support, where he died on November 8, 2023. Medical examination revealed several bruises, an abrasion consistent with a blow to the head, brain bleeding, and six fractured ribs that had been broken seven to ten days prior. Doctors stated the injuries were consistent with being thrown from a horse and that it was absolutely not possible for a toddler to have caused them. Arger provided 16 different explanations for Preston's injuries and mentioned multiple times that the baby would not stop crying. The Spokane County Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide caused by blunt force injuries of the head, and Arger was arrested on March 28, 2024, and charged with second-degree murder.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The medical examiner report lists the cause of death as "Blunt force injuries of head" with manner of death as "Homicide." The news article further details that "medical personnel told officers Preston had several bruises, an abrasion consistent with a blow to the head, brain bleeding, and six fractured ribs." One doctor stated the injuries were "akin to being thrown from a horse," and doctors said it was "absolutely not possible" a toddler caused the injuries. These are clearly inflicted injuries.
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
While the specific terms "shaken baby" or "abusive head trauma" are not used, the medical examiner report states the cause of death was "Blunt force injuries of head" ruled a homicide, and the news article describes "an abrasion consistent with a blow to the head, brain bleeding" in a 5-month-old infant. These findings—blunt force head injuries with brain bleeding inflicted on an infant—are consistent with abusive head trauma.
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
The news article explicitly states that "The Airway Heights Police Department arrested a nanny for the death of a baby she was watching." The nanny is identified as "59-year-old Sharon Arger" who "were home at the time" with the victim and his 2-year-old brother. Arger was arrested and booked for second-degree murder.
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
The news article states: "On March 28, Arger was arrested and booked for second-degree murder." It further notes: "On March 29, Arger made her first appearance on one charge of second-degree murder and is being held on $1 million bond."
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
The news article contains several notable details: (1) The nanny, Sharon Arger, provided "16 different reasons as to how Preston got his injuries," indicating repeated inconsistent explanations. (2) Doctors found "six fractured ribs" that "had been broken seven to ten days prior" to the fatal incident, strongly suggesting a prior pattern of abuse before the fatal event. (3) Arger "said multiple times Preston would not stop crying," which may indicate a triggering factor. (4) A doctor stated the injuries were "akin to being thrown from a horse," underscoring the extreme force involved in injuring a 5-month-old. These details collectively suggest a pattern of prior abuse by the nanny and an escalation leading to the fatal incident.
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